How To Apply

Apply for the Local Economy Fellowship

Connect with peers. Share ideas. Deepen impact.

We are thrilled to open applications for the fifth cohort of the BALLE Local Economy Fellowship,which will launch in spring 2018 and end in late 2019. This cohort will prioritize fellows in rural communities, Over the course of their two years together, Fellows gain inspiration, skills, meaningful connection, and increased capacity to affect change in their communities and beyond.

BALLE Fellow Derrick Braziel is chief relationship officer at Mortar, an organization that is cultivating entrepreneurship in Cincinnati, OH, with a specific focus on creating opportunities for the African American community.

As a BALLE Local Economy Fellow you can expect to walk away with:

In-depth examples of successful programs in other communities that could be adapted and adopted in your place;

Opportunities to collaborate on concrete projects with exceptional peers;

Exposure to diverse facilitation, convening, and transformational development practices;

Deeper awareness of your personal leadership style (both strengths and vulnerabilities) and how these can be channeled for increased effectiveness and sustainability;

Skills to advance difficult conversations and work with difference, especially around race and class;

An expanded leadership role within a national Localist movement;

Lifelong access to a peer-to-peer Leadership Network made up of BALLE Fellows, local economy funders and the broader BALLE learning community.

How to decide if the BALLE Local Economy Fellowship is the right fit for you?

We are delighted that you are considering applying to the Local Economy Fellowship. Before submitting an application, we suggest that you:

(2) Become familiar with other BALLE Fellows. If your work is in alignment, that is a great sign. If particular fellows’ work resonates, consider reaching out to learn more about their work and their experience in the Fellowship.

(3) Ask yourself questions such as, “Can my organization support me operationally and/or financially if I’m chosen as a Fellow?” “What are my goals for myself, my organization, and my community?” “What could I contribute to my cohort and the broader BALLE network if I were chosen for the Fellowship?”

Fellows from all four cohorts connected at the 2016 BALLE Leadership Summit.

What does it take to be a BALLE Fellow ?

2018-2019 Priority:For the upcoming cohort, based on feedback from our Leadership Network, we will prioritize fellows doing work in rural communities, including those who are working to steward our land, water, soil, and climate and those who are engaged at the intersection of local business development and government policy. We expect fellows with at least a partial rural focus to make up at least 50% of our cohort.

Work with local businesses or entrepreneurs:We recognize that there are many essential roles in the effort to build more healthy and equitable economies; the Local Economy Fellowship focus on those who convene, fund, train, or otherwise help to support and connect local businesses and entrepreneurs towards this end.

Proven track record and confidence of your community: Minimum of three years experience leading local economy projects that yield results; recognition as a local economy leader from regional partner groups;

Openness to personal and leadership development: Willingness to examine individual leadership beliefs and practices, in order to develop more effective and sustainable approaches to work;

Organizational viability:Your organization is past the start-up phase, making it possible for you to attend six convenings over eighteen months (four immersions and two BALLE Leadership Summits);

Representative of multiple cultures and experiences: As a whole, cohorts should represent the diversity of North American society, with an emphasis on underrepresented, low income, and previously underserved communities;

BALLE’s 4th cohort of Local Economy Fellows at their November 2016 immersion.

I’m Ready to Apply!

Once you’ve reviewed the information above and feel ready to apply:

Fill out our online application here. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis from February 2017 until the cohort is filled. Applicants can expect to be notified of their first round status (finalist, declined, or still under review) within 4-6 weeks of receipt of your application. We encourage you to apply early! The earlier you apply, the earlier you’ll receive a response from us. Also, many folks wait until the last minute to apply, which gives us less time to review your application and materials.

All finalists will be asked to provide three professional references; those who have not yet spoken with a member of the Fellowship Team will be contacted for an interview.

Finalists who complete this process before September 15, 2017 will receive updated status (accepted, waitlisted, or declined) by October, 2017. Those who complete this process after September 15 will receive updated status by December 22, 2017, and the full cohort will be announced in early 2018.

BALLE is committed to a diverse cohort of Fellows based on race, gender and geographic region. We prioritize equity, and therefore make a special effort to seek out leaders from communities of color and low-income populations.

If you have questions about the fellowship program or would like more information, please take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to contact the Fellowship Team at fellowship@bealocalist.org or 510-587-9417 x 104

Get in touch to learn more about working together to create healthy local economies.